Method and system for presenting electronic programming guides

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a graphic user interface (GUI) for customizing an electronic programming guide (EPG), the GUI including a plurality of scrollable media channels, each media channel accompanied by an image, a description of the media channel, an option to select the media channel for inclusion in the EPG, a first button to customize the EPG according to one or more media channels selected, and a second button to request additional information about a media channel highlighted in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic programmingguides (EPGs) and more specifically to a system and method forpresenting EPGs.

BACKGROUND

Electronic programming guides are useful tools for guiding subscribersin selecting from a large suite of television (TV) programs supplied bymedia communication systems such as satellite TV, cable TV, and InternetProtocol TV.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 depict exemplary embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal interacting with atleast one among the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of thecommunication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 depicts graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for customizing anelectronic programming guide (EPG) according to the method of FIG. 6;and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure entails a method involvingpresenting a graphical user interface (GUI) having a plurality ofscrollable media channels, each media channel accompanied by athumbnail, a description of the media channel, and an option to selectthe media channel for inclusion in an electronic programming guide(EPG), presenting in the GUI a first button to accept inclusion in theEPG the one or more media channels selected, and a second button torequest additional information about a media channel highlighted in theGUI, and customizing the EPG according to one or more media channelselections.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a media processorhaving a controller to present a GUI for customizing an EPG, the GUIincluding a plurality of scrollable media channels, each media channelaccompanied by an image, a description of the media channel, an optionto select the media channel for inclusion in the EPG, a first button tocustomize the EPG according to one or more media channels selected, anda second button to request additional information about a media channelhighlighted in the GUI.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure entails acomputer-readable storage medium having computer instructions forpresenting a GUI for customizing an EPG, the GUI including a pluralityof scrollable media channels each accompanied by a descriptive image anda button to request additional information about a media channelhighlighted in the GUI.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a first communication system100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100 canrepresent an IPTV broadcast media system. In a typical IPTVinfrastructure, there is at least one super head-end office server (SHS)which receives national media programs from satellite and/or mediaservers from service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. In thepresent context, media programs can represent audio content, movingimage content such as videos, still image content, and/or combinationsthereof. The SHS server forwards IP packets associated with the mediacontent to video head-end servers (VHS) via a network of aggregationpoints such as video head-end offices (VHO) according to a commonmulticast communication method.

The VHS then distributes multimedia broadcast programs via a local areanetwork (LAN) to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (e.g., a residential gateway or RG). The LAN can represent abank of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located ina central office or a service area interface that provide broadbandservices over optical links or copper twisted pairs to buildings 102.The gateway 104 distributes broadcast signals to media processors 106such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast selectionsto media devices 108 such as computers or television sets managed insome instances by a media controller 107 (e.g., an infrared or RF remotecontrol). Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between the mediaprocessors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services suchas video-on-demand (VoD). It will be appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art that the media devices 108 and/or portablecommunication devices 116 shown in FIG. 1 can be an integral part of themedia processor 106 and can be communicatively coupled to the gateway104. In this particular embodiment, an integral device such as describedcan receive, respond, process and present multicast or unicast mediacontent.

The IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices130 a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing portalservices over an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to fixedline media devices 108 or portable communication devices 116 by way of awireless access point 117 providing Wireless Fidelity or WiFi services,or cellular communication services (e.g., GSM, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, etc.).

A satellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115can be intercepted by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to building102 which conveys media signals to the media processors 106. The mediareceivers 106 can be equipped with a broadband port to the ISP network132. Although not shown, the communication system 100 can also becombined or replaced with analog or digital broadcast distributionssystems such as cable TV systems.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a second communication system200 for delivering media content. Communication system 200 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication system 100 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of said communication system. The system 200includes a distribution switch/router system 228 at a central office218. The distribution switch/router system 228 receives video data via amulticast television stream 230 from a second distribution switch/router234 at an intermediate office 220. The multicast television stream 230includes Internet Protocol (IP) data packets addressed to a multicast IPaddress associated with a television channel. The distributionswitch/router system 228 can cache data associated with each televisionchannel received from the intermediate office 220.

The distribution switch/router system 228 also receives unicast datatraffic from the intermediate office 220 via a unicast traffic stream232. The unicast traffic stream 232 includes data packets related todevices located at a particular residence, such as the residence 202.For example, the unicast traffic stream 232 can include data trafficrelated to a digital subscriber line, a telephone line, another dataconnection, or any combination thereof. To illustrate, the unicasttraffic stream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a telephone212 associated with a subscriber at the residence 202. The telephone 212can be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. To furtherillustrate, the unicast traffic stream 232 can communicate data packetsto and from a personal computer 210 at the residence 202 via one or moredata routers 208. In an additional illustration, the unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a set-top boxdevice, such as the set-top box devices 204, 206. The unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from the devices locatedat the residence 202 via one or more residential gateways 214 associatedwith the residence 202.

The distribution switch/router system 228 can send data to one or moreaccess switch/router systems 226. The access switch/router system 226can include or be included within a service area interface 216. In aparticular embodiment, the access switch/router system 226 can include aDSLAM. The access switch/router system 226 can receive data from thedistribution switch/router system 228 via a broadcast television (BTV)stream 222 and a plurality of unicast subscriber traffic streams 224.The BTV stream 222 can be used to communicate video data packetsassociated with a multicast stream.

For example, the BTV stream 222 can include a multicast virtual localarea network (VLAN) connection between the distribution switch/routersystem 228 and the access switch/router system 226. Each of theplurality of subscriber traffic streams 224 can be used to communicatesubscriber specific data packets. For example, the first subscribertraffic stream can communicate data related to a first subscriber, andthe nth subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to an nthsubscriber. Each subscriber to the system 200 can be associated with arespective subscriber traffic stream 224. The subscriber traffic stream224 can include a subscriber VLAN connection between the distributionswitch/router system 228 and the access switch/router system 226 that isassociated with a particular set-top box device 204, 206, a particularresidence 202, a particular residential gateway 214, another deviceassociated with a subscriber, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, a set-top box device, such as the set-topbox device 204, receives a channel change command from an input device,such as a remoter control device. The channel change command canindicate selection of an IPTV channel. After receiving the channelchange command, the set-top box device 204 generates channel selectiondata that indicates the selection of the IPTV channel. The set-top boxdevice 204 can send the channel selection data to the accessswitch/router system 226 via the residential gateway 214. The channelselection data can include an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)Join request. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/routersystem 226 can identify whether it is joined to a multicast groupassociated with the requested channel based on information in the IGMPJoin request.

If the access switch/router system 226 is not joined to the multicastgroup associated with the requested channel, the access switch/routersystem 226 can generate a multicast stream request. The multicast streamrequest can be generated by modifying the received channel selectiondata. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system 226can modify an IGMP Join request to produce a proxy IGMP Join request.The access switch/router system 226 can send the multicast streamrequest to the distribution switch/router system 228 via the BTV stream222. In response to receiving the multicast stream request, thedistribution switch/router system 228 can send a stream associated withthe requested channel to the access switch/router system 226 via the BTVstream 222.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a third communication system300 for delivering media content. Communication system 300 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication systems 100-200 asanother representative embodiment of said communication systems. Asshown, the system 300 can include a client facing tier 302, anapplication tier 304, an acquisition tier 306, and an operations andmanagement tier 308. Each tier 302, 304, 306, 308 is coupled to aprivate network 310, such as a network of common packet-switched routersand/or switches; to a public network 312, such as the Internet; or toboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. For example,the client-facing tier 302 can be coupled to the private network 310.Further, the application tier 304 can be coupled to the private network310 and to the public network 312. The acquisition tier 306 can also becoupled to the private network 310 and to the public network 312.Additionally, the operations and management tier 308 can be coupled tothe public network 322.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the various tiers 302, 304, 306, 308communicate with each other via the private network 310 and the publicnetwork 312. For instance, the client-facing tier 302 can communicatewith the application tier 304 and the acquisition tier 306 via theprivate network 310. The application tier 304 can communicate with theacquisition tier 306 via the private network 310. Further, theapplication tier 304 can communicate with the acquisition tier 306 andthe operations and management tier 308 via the public network 312.Moreover, the acquisition tier 306 can communicate with the operationsand management tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, elements of the application tier 304, including, but notlimited to, a client gateway 350, can communicate directly with theclient-facing tier 302.

The client-facing tier 302 can communicate with user equipment via anaccess network 366, such as an IPTV access network. In an illustrativeembodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE) 314, 322 can be coupled toa local switch, router, or other device of the access network 366. Theclient-facing tier 302 can communicate with a first representativeset-top box device 316 via the first CPE 314 and with a secondrepresentative set-top box device 324 via the second CPE 322. In aparticular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device 316and the first CPE 314 can be located at a first customer premise, andthe second representative set-top box device 324 and the second CPE 322can be located at a second customer premise.

In another particular embodiment, the first representative set-top boxdevice 316 and the second representative set-top box device 324 can belocated at a single customer premise, both coupled to one of the CPE314, 322. The CPE 314, 322 can include routers, local area networkdevices, modems, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, any othersuitable devices for facilitating communication between a set-top boxdevice and the access network 366, or any combination thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can be coupled tothe CPE 314, 322 via fiber optic cables. In another exemplaryembodiment, the CPE 314, 322 can include DSL modems that are coupled toone or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier302 can be coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Eachset-top box device 316, 324 can process data received via the accessnetwork 366, via a common IPTV software platform.

The first set-top box device 316 can be coupled to a first externaldisplay device, such as a first television monitor 318, and the secondset-top box device 324 can be coupled to a second external displaydevice, such as a second television monitor 326. Moreover, the firstset-top box device 316 can communicate with a first remote control 320,and the second set-top box device 324 can communicate with a secondremote control 328. The set-top box devices 316, 324 can include IPTVset-top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles that are adaptedto receive IPTV content; personal computers or other computing devicesthat are adapted to emulate set-top box device functionalities; anyother device adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to anIPTV system via an access network; or any combination thereof.

In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device 316,324 can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from theclient-facing tier 302 via the access network 366 and render or displaythe data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device 318,326 to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-topbox devices 316, 324 can include tuners that receive and decodetelevision programming signals or packet streams for transmission to thedisplay devices 318, 326. Further, the set-top box devices 316, 324 caneach include a STB processor 370 and a STB memory device 372 that isaccessible to the STB processor 370. In one embodiment, a computerprogram, such as the STB computer program 374, can be embedded withinthe STB memory device 372.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 330 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 302 and the access network 366 and between theclient-facing tier 302 and the private network 310. As illustrated, theCFT switch 330 is coupled to one or more distribution servers, such asDistribution-servers (D-servers) 332, that store, format, encode,replicate, or otherwise manipulate or prepare video content forcommunication from the client-facing tier 302 to the set-top box devices316, 324. The CFT switch 330 can also be coupled to a terminal server334 that provides terminal devices with a point of connection to theIPTV system 300 via the client-facing tier 302.

In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330 can be coupled to avideo-on-demand (VOD) server 336 that stores or provides VOD contentimported by the IPTV system 300. Further, the CFT switch 330 is coupledto one or more video servers 380 that receive video content and transmitthe content to the set-top boxes 316, 324 via the access network 366.The client-facing tier 302 may include a CPE management server 382 thatmanages communications to and from the CPE 314 and the CPE 322. Forexample, the CPE management server 382 may collect performance dataassociated with the set-top box devices 316, 324 from the CPE 314 or theCPE 322 and forward the collected performance data to a serverassociated with the operations and management tier 308.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 cancommunicate with a large number of set-top boxes, such as therepresentative set-top boxes 316, 324, over a wide geographic area, suchas a metropolitan area, a viewing area, a statewide area, a regionalarea, a nationwide area or any other suitable geographic area, marketarea, or subscriber or customer group that can be supported bynetworking the client-facing tier 302 to numerous set-top box devices.In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330, or any portion thereof,can include a multicast router or switch that communicates with multipleset-top box devices via a multicast-enabled network.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the application tier 304 can communicate withboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. The applicationtier 304 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 338 and asecond APP switch 340. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch338 can be coupled to the second APP switch 340. The first APP switch338 can be coupled to an application server 342 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 344. In a particular embodiment, the application server 342 canprovide applications to the set-top box devices 316, 324 via the accessnetwork 366, which enable the set-top box devices 316, 324 to providefunctions, such as interactive program guides, video gaming, display,messaging, processing of VOD material and other IPTV content, etc. In anillustrative embodiment, the application server 342 can provide locationinformation to the set-top box devices 316, 324. In a particularembodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 includes operation systems andsupport (OSS) data, as well as billing systems and support (BSS) data.In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can provide or restrictaccess to an OSS/BSS server 364 that stores operations and billingsystems data.

The second APP switch 340 can be coupled to a domain controller 346 thatprovides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers 368via the public network 312. For example, the domain controller 346 canprovide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail,personalized Internet services, or other online services via the publicnetwork 312. In addition, the second APP switch 340 can be coupled to asubscriber and system store 348 that includes account information, suchas account information that is associated with users who access the IPTVsystem 300 via the private network 310 or the public network 312. In anillustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store 348 can storesubscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profilesthat are associated with IP addresses, stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers,other identifiers, or any combination thereof, of corresponding set-topbox devices 316, 324. In another illustrative embodiment, the subscriberand system store can store data associated with capabilities of set-topbox devices associated with particular customers.

In a particular embodiment, the application tier 304 can include aclient gateway 350 that communicates data directly to the client-facingtier 302. In this embodiment, the client gateway 350 can be coupleddirectly to the CFT switch 330. The client gateway 350 can provide useraccess to the private network 310 and the tiers coupled thereto. In anillustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices 316, 324 can access theIPTV system 300 via the access network 366, using information receivedfrom the client gateway 350. User devices can access the client gateway350 via the access network 366, and the client gateway 350 can allowsuch devices to access the private network 310 once the devices areauthenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway 350 can preventunauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top boxdevices from accessing the private network 310, by denying access tothese devices beyond the access network 366.

For example, when the first representative set-top box device 316accesses the client-facing tier 302 via the access network 366, theclient gateway 350 can verify subscriber information by communicatingwith the subscriber and system store 348 via the private network 310.Further, the client gateway 350 can verify billing information andstatus by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway 344 via the privatenetwork 310. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can transmit aquery via the public network 312 to the OSS/BSS server 364. After theclient gateway 350 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, theclient gateway 350 can allow the set-top box device 316 to access IPTVcontent and VOD content at the client-facing tier 302. If the clientgateway 350 cannot verify subscriber information for the set-top boxdevice 316, e.g., because it is connected to an unauthorized twistedpair, the client gateway 350 can block transmissions to and from theset-top box device 316 beyond the access network 366.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the acquisition tier 306 includes an acquisitiontier (AQT) switch 352 that communicates with the private network 310.The AQT switch 352 can also communicate with the operations andmanagement tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to one or more liveAcquisition-servers (A-servers) 354 that receive or acquire televisioncontent, movie content, advertisement content, other video content, orany combination thereof, from a broadcast service 356, such as asatellite acquisition system or satellite head-end office. In aparticular embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 can transmitcontent to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352 can transmit thecontent to the CFT switch 330 via the private network 310.

In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to theD-servers 332, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated,or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the videoserver(s) 380 to the set-top box devices 316, 324. The CFT switch 330can receive content from the video server(s) 380 and communicate thecontent to the CPE 314, 322 via the access network 366. The set-top boxdevices 316, 324 can receive the content via the CPE 314, 322, and cantransmit the content to the television monitors 318, 326. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can bestreamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

Further, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 358 that receives and stores television or movie content receivedat the acquisition tier 306 and communicates the stored content to theVOD server 336 at the client-facing tier 302 via the private network310. Additionally, at the acquisition tier 306, the video-on-demand(VOD) importer server 358 can receive content from one or more VODsources outside the IPTV system 300, such as movie studios andprogrammers of non-live content. The VOD importer server 358 cantransmit the VOD content to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352,in turn, can communicate the material to the CFT switch 330 via theprivate network 310. The VOD content can be stored at one or moreservers, such as the VOD server 336.

When users issue requests for VOD content via the set-top box devices316, 324, the requests can be transmitted over the access network 366 tothe VOD server 336, via the CFT switch 330. Upon receiving suchrequests, the VOD server 336 can retrieve the requested VOD content andtransmit the content to the set-top box devices 316, 324 across theaccess network 366, via the CFT switch 330. The set-top box devices 316,324 can transmit the VOD content to the television monitors 318, 326. Inan illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VOD content canbe streamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

FIG. 3 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 308can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 360 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 308and the public network 312. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3, theOMT switch 360 is coupled to a TV2 server 362. Additionally, the OMTswitch 360 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 364 and to a simplenetwork management protocol monitor 386 that monitors network deviceswithin or coupled to the IPTV system 300. In a particular embodiment,the OMT switch 360 can communicate with the AQT switch 352 via thepublic network 312.

The OSS/BSS server 364 may include a cluster of servers, such as one ormore CPE data collection servers that are adapted to request and storeoperations systems data, such as performance data from the set-top boxdevices 316, 324. In an illustrative embodiment, the CPE data collectionservers may be adapted to analyze performance data to identify acondition of a physical component of a network path associated with aset-top box device, to predict a condition of a physical component of anetwork path associated with a set-top box device, or any combinationthereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 cantransmit content to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352, in turn,can transmit the content to the OMT switch 360 via the public network312. In this embodiment, the OMT switch 360 can transmit the content tothe TV2 server 362 for display to users accessing the user interface atthe TV2 server 362. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 362using a personal computer 368 coupled to the public network 312.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from theforegoing media communication system embodiments that other suitablemedia communication systems for distributing broadcast media content aswell as peer-to-peer exchange of content can be applied to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 400employing a IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture.Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operably coupled withcommunication systems 100-300 as another representative embodiment ofsaid communication systems.

The communication system 400 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)440, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 430, and network elementsof an IMS network 450. The IMS network 450 can be coupled to IMScompliant communication devices (CD) 401, 402 or a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN) CD 403 using a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 420 that connects the call through a common PSTN network 460.

IMS CDs 401, 402 register with the IMS network 450 by contacting a ProxyCall Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with anAuthentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) support by the HSS440. To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originatingIMS CD 401 can submit a SIP INVITE message to an originating P-CSCF 404which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF 406. Theoriginating S-CSCF 406 can submit the SIP INVITE message to anapplication server (AS) such as reference 410 that can provide a varietyof services to IMS subscribers. For example, the application server 410can be used to perform originating treatment functions on the callingparty number received by the originating S-CSCF 406 in the SIP INVITEmessage.

Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, and/or isrequesting special telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on).Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 406 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 430 to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP UniformResource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMScompliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, theENUM system 430 will respond with an unsuccessful address resolution andthe S-CSCF 406 will forward the call to the MGCF 420 via a BreakoutGateway Control Function (BGCF) 419.

When the ENUM server 430 returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 407 to submit a query to the HSS 440 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 414 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 402. Once identified, the I-CSCF 407 can submit theSIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 414 which can call on anapplication server 411 similar to reference 410 to perform theoriginating treatment telephony functions described earlier. Theterminating S-CSCF 414 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 416associated with the terminating CD 402. The P-CSCF 416 then signals theCD 402 to establish communications. The aforementioned process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 4 can be interchanged.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal 530. The portal 530can be used for managing services of communication systems 100-400. Theportal 530 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with acommon Internet browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer using anInternet-capable communication device such as references 108, 116, or210 of FIGS. 1-2. The portal 530 can be configured to access a mediaprocessor such as references 106, 204, 206, 316, and 324 of FIGS. 1-3and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), anElectronic Programming Guide (EPG), VOD catalog, a personal catalogstored in the STB (e.g., personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.), and so on.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary method 600 operating in portions of mediacommunication systems 100-400. FIG. 7 depicts graphical user interfaces(GUIs) associated with the steps of method 600. Method 600 begins withstep 602 in which a media processor (MP) such as the STB of FIGS. 1-3receives a request to customize an electronic programming guide (EPG).The request can arise in response to a subscriber of the MP initiatingthe request from a remote controller such as reference 107 of FIG. 1. Instep 604 the MP presents as illustrated in FIG. 7 a GUI 702 withscrollable and selectable media channels 710, each media channelaccompanied by a thumbnail 708, a description of the media channel 704,and an option to select the media channel 706 for inclusion in thecustomized EPG. The GUI 702 can also include a button 712 (referred toherein as “Learn More” button 712) to request additional informationabout a highlighted media channel 707 in the GUI, a button 714 (referredto herein as “Done” button 714) to indicate completion of the customizedEPG, and a button 716 (referred to herein as “Cancel” button 716) tocancel the customization process dictated by method 600.

Using common up and down navigation keys of a remote controller such asreference 107, a subscriber can highlight a select media channel such asthe Animal Planet channel. A subscriber knows that the Animal Planetchannel is highlighted by a bold rectangle 707 encompassing the channel.The thumbnail 708 which accompanies the media channel can represent astill image or a moving image. In an illustrative embodiment, the stillimage can represent a media channel logo such as a trademark logo. Inanother illustrative embodiment, the still image can represent asnapshot of an active media program in the select media channel. Thesnapshot can be a still image of a frame of the active media program, ora cover page or banner used to describe the active media program. Forinstance, if the media channel is actively broadcasting Star WarsEpisode I, the snapshot can be a frame from the active movie, or abanner depicting the movie (such as marketing banners used by movietheaters).

In yet another illustrative embodiment, the moving image can represent alive feed of the active media program. For example, referring back tothe Star Wars Episode I illustration, the live feed can representstreaming video captured by the MP which is presented in the thumbnail.To accommodate streaming video of live media programs on each thumbnail,the MP can be directed to sample video from each media channel at areduced presentation quality and frame rate. The MP can then resize thecaptured video and present a live feed in each thumbnail of eachcorresponding media channel depicted in GUI 702. Since the thumbnailsare relatively small compared to a full screen display, the quality ofthe video presented can be suitable to convey the type of liveprogramming taking place at the time the subscriber is determining aselection of a customized EPG. For the media channels located offscreen, the MP can preserve computing resources by sampling thesechannels only after the subscriber scrolls up or down by way of thescroll bar 710 to show the media channel and its corresponding thumbnailin GUI 702.

In steps 606, 616, and 618 the MP can monitor the selection of buttons712-716. If for example when the “Learn More” button 712 is depressed,the MP can be directed to proceed from step 606 to step 608. In step608, the MP can present another GUI 720 which can provide additionalinformation about the highlighted media channel. GUI 720 can besuperimposed in part on the customization GUI 702, temporarily replaceGUI 702, or can be placed next to GUI 702 in an available portion of acanvas of a media presentation device (such as reference 108 of FIG. 1)used by the MP to present these GUIs. The location of GUI 720 thereforecan depend on the amount of presentation area available in the mediapresentation device. GUI 720 can include a video stream 722, a mediaprogramming guide for the select media channel 727, one or morepromotions 726, a logo associated with the select media channel 724, a“Done” button 732 to indicate that the GUI 720 is no longer needed, andadditional descriptive information about the select media channel.

The descriptive information provided in GUI 720 can be segmented byassociation with each of the GUI elements of GUI 720. For example, thelogo 724 can be accompanied with descriptive information of the mediachannel. The promotion element 726 can be accompanied with descriptiveinformation about the promotion. A highlighted media program 728 in theprogramming guide 727 can be accompanied with descriptive informationabout the highlighted media program.

Some or all of the GUI elements shown in GUI 720 can be selected toinvoke interactive responses. For example, when the MP detects in step610 a media program has been highlighted in the programming guideaccomplished by navigation means of a remote controller managing the MP,the MP can be directed to step 612 where it presents the item byadapting the video feed in window 722 or provide another suitableresponse. For instance, suppose that media program 728 is an activemedia program being presented by the media communication system at thetime it is highlighted, the video stream in window 722 can be adapted torepresent the live feed of the media program. Suppose instead that mediaprogram 728 has already expired. In this illustration the MP can adaptthe video stream in window 722 so that it presents a recording of theexpired media program. Suppose instead that a future media program ishighlighted such as media program 730. The MP in this illustration canadapt the video stream in window 722 so that a preview of the upcomingmedia program is presented.

In another illustrative embodiment, suppose the logo or promotion isselected. Step 612 in this representative embodiment can represent avideo stream and/or another GUI (not shown) which describes the mediachannel further (such as the history, purpose or vision of thebroadcasters of this channel), and/or a presentation of informationrelating to the selected promotion. Accordingly GUI 720 can include anyform of selectable GUI elements which can affect the video stream ofwindow 722 and/or create additional GUI windows (which can be furthernested) with information describing the selected item. The selectableGUI elements can by hypertext links (such as HTML hypertext), graphicalelements, and so on.

Once the selected item is presented in step 612, the MP can be directedto step 614 to determine if the GUI is no longer needed such as bydepression of the “Done” button 732 by the subscriber. If this button isselected, the MP proceeds to step 615 where it terminates the detailedGUI window 720, and proceeds to step 606 to monitor selection of the GUIbuttons of GUI 702. If the “Done” button 732 is not depressed, the MPproceeds to step 610 where it continues to monitor selections in GUI720.

Referring back to step 606, if depression of the “Learn More” button 712is not detected in this step, the MP can be directed to step 616 todetermine if any of the media channels have been selected with acheckbox such as reference 706 shown in FIG. 7. If no selections aredetected, the MP can be directed to return to step 606. Otherwise, theMP can monitor the selection of the “Done” button 714 or “Cancel” buttonin step 618. If the “Cancel” button 716 is depressed, the MP terminatesthe GUI 702 without generating a customized EPG. If a customized EPG waspreviously generated, the selection of the “Cancel” button 716 keeps thecustomized EPG unchanged. If the “Done” button 714 is depressed, the MPcan proceed to step 620 where it generates the customized EPG asdirected by the selections made with the checkboxes 706. This step canreplace previous incarnations of a customized EPG.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, method 600 can beadapted so that EPG customization takes place somewhere other than inthe MP. In one illustrative embodiment, method 600 can be adapted sothat EPG customization takes place via portal 530. In this embodiment, asubscriber can log into a subscriber account at portal 530 an customizethe EPG utilizing the computing resources of the media communicationsystem. In another illustrative embodiment, method 600 can be adapted sothat selections associated with a previously customized EPG are shown atthe time GUI 702 is presented in step 604.

Other suitable modifications that can be applied to the presentdisclosure without departing from the scope of the claims below.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each othervia a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system800 may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generationdevice 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a machine-readable medium 822 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 824)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 824may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within the processor 802during execution thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory 804and the processor 802 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 824, or that which receives and executes instructions 824from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 826 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 826 using the instructions 824. Theinstructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a network826 via the network interface device 820.

While the machine-readable medium 822 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listedherein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, inwhich the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: responsive to a request tocustomize an electronic programming guide, presenting, by a set top box,a graphical user interface having a window with a plurality of on-screenmedia channel indicators of a plurality of scrollable media channelindicators, wherein each media channel indicator of the plurality ofon-screen media channel indicators is accompanied by a thumbnail, adescription of a corresponding media channel, and an option to selectthe corresponding media channel for inclusion in the electronicprogramming guide and wherein each thumbnail comprises video contentscheduled for broadcast on the corresponding media channel; sampling, bythe set top box, video content of a corresponding media channel of anoff-screen media channel indicator of the plurality of scrollable mediachannel indicators for presentation in the thumbnail of the off-screenmedia channel indicator only after the thumbnail of the off-screen mediachannel indicator is depicted in the window responsive to being scrolledup or down in the window, wherein the corresponding media channel of theoff-screen media channel indicator differs from corresponding mediachannels of the plurality of on-screen media channel indicators;presenting, by the set top box, in the graphical user interface a firstbutton to accept inclusion in the electronic programming guide acorresponding media channel of a select media channel indicator of theplurality of scrollable media channel indicators, and a second button torequest additional information about a corresponding media channel of ahighlighted media channel indicator of the plurality of on-screen mediachannel indicators in the graphical user interface; and customizing, bythe set top box, the electronic programming guide according to theselect media channel indicator of the plurality of scrollable mediachannel indicators responsive to detecting an assertion of the firstbutton.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising detecting, by the set topbox, a selection of the first button.
 3. The method of claim 1,comprising: detecting, by the set top box, a selection of the secondbutton while the select media channel indicator is highlighted; andpresenting, by the set top box, an additional graphical user interfacewith an attribute selected from a group consisting of a video stream, amedia programming guide for the select media channel indicator, apromotion, a logo associated with the select media channel indicator andadditional descriptive information about the corresponding media channelof the select media channel indicator.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe video stream is selected from a group consisting of video describingthe corresponding media channel of the select media channel indicator,video of an active media program of the corresponding media channel ofthe select media channel indicator and video previewing future mediaprograms of the corresponding media channel of the select media channelindicator.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the electronic programmingguide comprises a media program description with a viewable time scale,and wherein the electronic programming guide is slideably controllableto view other media program descriptions of past, present or futuremedia programs.
 6. The method of claim 5, comprising: detecting, by theset top box, a selection of a media program description in theelectronic programming guide; and adapting, by the set top box, thevideo stream to present video associated with the media programdescription.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the media programdescription is selected from a group consisting of a media programpreviously broadcasted, a media program actively broadcasted and a mediaprogram not yet broadcasted, wherein the video stream presents contentselected from the group consisting of a recording of the media programpreviously broadcasted, video of the media program actively broadcastedand video previewing the media program not yet broadcasted.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the electronic programming guide is suppliedby a media communication system, and wherein the media communicationsystem is selected from a group consisting of an internet protocoltelevision communication system, a cable television communicationsystem, a satellite television communication system, a public switchedtelevision network, a voice over internet protocol communication systemand an internet protocol multimedia subsystem combining the publicswitched television network and voice over internet protocolcommunication systems.
 9. A set-top box, comprising: a memory to storecomputer instructions; and a controller coupled to the memory, whereinresponsive to execution of the computer instructions, the controllerperforms operations comprising: presenting a graphic user interface forcustomizing an electronic programming guide responsive to a request tocustomize the electronic programming guide, the graphical user interfaceincluding a window with a plurality of on-screen media channelindicators of a plurality of scrollable media channel indicators,wherein each media channel indicator of the plurality of on-screen mediachannel indicators is accompanied by video content, a description of acorresponding media channel, and an option to select the correspondingmedia channel for inclusion in the electronic programming guide;sampling video content of a corresponding media channel of an off-screenmedia channel indicator of the plurality of scrollable media channelindicators for presentation in the plurality of scrollable media channelindicators only after the off-screen media channel indicator is depictedin the window responsive to the off-screen media channel indicator beingscrolled into a viewing area of the window, wherein the correspondingmedia channel of the off-screen media channel indicator differs fromcorresponding media channels of the plurality of on-screen media channelindicators; customizing the electronic programming guide according to amedia channel indicator selection responsive to a detection of anassertion of a first button; and requesting additional information abouta corresponding media channel of a media channel indicator of theplurality of on-screen media channel indicators highlighted in thegraphical user interface responsive to an assertion of a second button.10. The set-top box of claim 9, wherein execution of the computerinstructions causes the controller to perform operations comprisingdetecting a selection of the first button.
 11. The set-top box of claim9, wherein execution of the computer instructions causes the controllerto perform operations comprising: detecting a selection of the secondbutton while a select media channel indicator of the plurality ofon-screen media channel indicators is highlighted; and presenting anadditional graphical user interface with a feature selected from a groupconsisting of a video stream, a media programming guide for the selectmedia channel indicator, a promotion, a logo associated with the selectmedia channel indicator and additional descriptive information about theselect media channel indicator.
 12. The set-top box of claim 11, whereinthe video stream is selected from a group consisting of video describinga corresponding media channel of the select media channel indicator,video of an active media program of the corresponding media channel ofthe select media channel indicator and video previewing future mediaprograms of corresponding media channel of the select media channelindicator.
 13. The set-top box of claim 11, wherein the mediaprogramming guide comprises a media program description with a viewabletime scale, and wherein the media programming guide is slideablycontrollable to view past, present or future media programs.
 14. Theset-top box of claim 13, wherein execution of the computer instructionscauses the controller to perform operations comprising: detecting aselection of one of the media program description in the electronicprogramming guide; and adapting the video stream to present videoassociated with the media program description, wherein the media programdescription is selected from a group consisting of: a previouslybroadcasted media program; an actively broadcasted media program; and ayet to be broadcasted media program, wherein the video stream presentscontent selected from the group consisting of a recording of thepreviously broadcasted media program, video of the actively broadcastedmedia program and video previewing the yet to be broadcasted videoprogram.
 15. The set-top box of claim 9, wherein the set-top boxoperates in a media communication system, and wherein the mediacommunication system is selected from a group consisting of an internetprotocol television communication system, a cable televisioncommunication system, a satellite television communication system, apublic switched television network, a voice over internet protocolcommunication system and an internet protocol multimedia subsystemcombining the public switched television network and voice over internetprotocol communication systems.
 16. A computer-readable storage device,comprising computer instructions which, responsive to being executed bya controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising:presenting a graphical user interface for customizing an electronicprogramming guide responsive to receiving a request to customize theelectronic programming guide, the graphical user interface including awindow with a plurality of on-screen media channel indicators of aplurality of scrollable media channel indicators each accompanied byvideo content and a button to request additional information about acorresponding media channel of a highlighted media channel indicator ofthe plurality of on-screen media channel indicators in the graphicaluser interface; and sampling video content of a corresponding mediachannel of an off-screen media channel indicator of the plurality ofscrollable media channel indicators for presentation in the mediachannel indicator that is off screen only after the off-screen mediachannel indicator is depicted in the window responsive to being scrolledinto the window, wherein the corresponding media channel of theoff-screen media channel indicator differs from corresponding mediachannels of the plurality of on-screen media channel indicators.
 17. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: detecting a media channel indicator selection from theplurality of scrollable media channel indicators; and customizing theelectronic programming guide according to the media channel indicatorselection.
 18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, whereinthe operations further comprise: detecting a selection of the buttonwhile a select media channel indicator is highlighted; and presenting anadditional graphical user interface with a feature selected from a groupconsisting of a video stream, a programming guide for a correspondingmedia channel of the select media channel indicator, a promotion; a logoassociated with the corresponding media channel of the select mediachannel indicator and additional descriptive information about thecorresponding media channel of the select media channel indicator. 19.The computer-readable storage device of claim 18, wherein theprogramming guide comprises a media program description with a viewabletime scale, and wherein the programming guide can be slideablycontrolled to view past, present or future media programs, and whereinexecution of the computer instructions causes the controller to performoperations comprising: detecting a selection of the media programdescription in the programming guide; and adapting the video streamresponsive to the detecting of the selection to present video associatedwith the media program description.
 20. The computer-readable storagedevice of claim 16, wherein the controller is part of a mediacommunication system selected from a group consisting of an internetprotocol television communication system, a cable televisioncommunication system, a satellite television communication system, apublic switched television network, a voice over internet protocolcommunication system and an internet protocol multimedia subsystemcombining the public switched television network and voice over internetprotocol communication systems.